Can opening and spout forming device



N O T S N H O .J A

CAN OPENING A'ND SPOUT FORMING DEVICE Filed! Aug. 16, 1938 INVENTOR. H. A. To Hmm; 'ro/w Patented Nov. 19, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Herbert A. Johnston, Anaheim, Calif. Application August 16, 1938, Serial No. 225,133

5 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in can opening and spout forming devices.

'I'he general object of my invention is to provide a novel improved can opener.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel can opener which includes a novel punching and spout forming device particularly adapted for use With cans containing fluids such as fruit juices, condensed milk, oil, etc.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel can opener having a number of punching members adapted to produce apertures of various sizes in a can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel can opener including novel mIeans to prevent the removed can top from falling into the can.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a can opener and spout forming device embodying the features of my invention with parts broken away to show the interior construction;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device with parts broken away to show the interior construction;

Fig.' 3 is a fragmentary enlarged front view taken along the axis of the rotating multiple piercing device;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of a can with the top punched and a spout formed;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan View of a can with top punched and a spout formed;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through a can showing the top being removed and held from dropping within the can;

Fig. '7 is a section taken on line 'I--l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation showing the cutter; and

Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters I have shown my invention as embodied in a can opening and spout forming device which is indicated generally at I0. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the device is shown in use with an ordinary can II having a body portion I2 and a top I3 joined by the usual seam I4.

The main parts of the opener light die castings or stampings opener includes two hollow handles I5 and I6 pivoted together by the pin I'I and each having grip portions I5 and I6', respectively, adapted I are preferably and as shown the to be engaged by the hand of the operator. The handle i is somewhat wider than the handle IB and has an aperture I8 near the pivotal point through which the handle I6 extends. A spring I3 passes around the pin I'I and engages the 5 handles I 5 and IB normally urging them apart.

At the end remote from the hand engaging portion I5 the handle I5 is biiurcated forming two arms 2|) and 2|. Rigidly connected to the free end of the arm 2i] is a pin 22 having a wheel 23 pivotally mounted thereon. The free end of the arm 2i carries a shaft 24 with a wheel 25 rigidly mounted on one end thereof. The periphery of the wheel 25 is provided with teeth 2E adapted to engage the underside of the seam I4 of the can I2. It will be seen that the axes of the wheels 23 and 25 are coplanar and are approximately radial with respect to the axis of the can I2.

On the handle I5 near the pivotal point I provide a bracket 2l which is heldin place by suitable meansI such as rivets 28. The shaft 24 extends through the bracket 2l as at 29 and 3U. The shaft 24 has a crank portion 35 terminating in a knob 36. 25

At the end remote from the hand engaging portion I6 the handle I6 is provided with a pin 3l which is rigidly mounted thereon. Pivotally mounted on the pin 3l is a multiple piercing device 33 including a plurality of integral punch members 39 and a cutter 4Il arranged radially as shown in Fig. 3.

Each of the punch members 33 has a plane front face 4I and a curved rear portion. 42 as shown in Fig. '7. The outer end of each punch member 39 terminates in two bevelled cutting edges 43 and 44 at substantially right angles to each other forming a sharpened point 45 at the juncture of these two edges.

The multiple piercing device includes a radial arm 4'! which has a slot 48 therein which re ceives the cutter 43 previously mentioned. The cutter 40 includes a ilat portion 49 which in use engages the top I3 of the can II, and an inclined cutting edge 50. The cutter 4I! has a bent portion 5I at the free end, the crease being sharpened as at 52. Mounted on the arm 4l is a leaf spring 53 which in use engages the top I3 of the can I I pressing the top against the bent portion 5I. The spring 53 is attached by a rivet 53 which may also be used to fasten the cutter 4I] in the slot 48. Slidably mounted in a suitable fixture 54 positioned on the handle I 6 adjacent the multiple piercing device 38 I provide a pin 55 which has an enlarged head 56 adapted to engage an aperture 51 in each of the punch members'39 and the cutter arm 4B thus holding the assembly 38 in` locked position. A spring 58 surrounding the pin 55 engages the xture 54 and urges the head 56 forward. The pin 55 is bent upwardly and flattened as at 58' for finger engagement.

Within a recess in the handle portion I I provide a corkscrew 60 mounted on a pin 6I as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. A bottle cap remover of the usual type 62 has a base 63 secured to the handle I5.

When it is desired to punch a can containing fluid, the desired punch member isy rotated into position and locked by the pin 55. For convenience different sized punches are provided, it being desirable for instance to provide a larger aperture in a can of oil than in a can of condensed milk. The Wheels 23 and 25 are placed beneath the seam I4 of the can Il and the handles I5 and I6 urged together by the operator. The sharpened point 45 pierces the top I3 and further movement enlarges the aperture while still further movement by forcing the seam I4 and body portion I2 between the arms 20 and 2| form the material into a spout shape as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

When it is desired to remove the entire top from a can the cutter 4U is revolved to the downward position, the wheels 23 and 25 positioned below the seam I4, and the handles I5 and I6 are brought together forcing the blade 46 into the top I3 of the can II so that the bent portion 5I is entirely below the top I3 and the flat portion 49 lies above the top I2. The crank 35 is then actuated to thereby revolve the can Il by engagement with the toothed wheel 25. As shown in Fig. 6 the top I3 during this operation is engaged by the bent portion 5I and the spring 53 so that when the top is' entirely severed it will be prevented from falling within the can and is removed with the opener.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have invented a novel can opening and spout forming device.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In a can opening device, a pair of pivoted handles, a pair of spaced wheels on one of the handles, the axes of said wheels being coplanar and approximately radial with respect to the can,

said wheels being adapted to engage the rim of a can and to move therearound, and a piercing member pivotally mounted on the other handle, said piercing member including a can cutting element.

2. A can opener comprising a body having a toothed wheel and having cutting means adapted to cut the top from a can, means to rotate said toothed wheel, said cutting means including a blade having a cutting portion and a part adapted to engage the under surface oi a can lid and spring means on the cutting member adapted to engage the upper surface of a can lid opposite to the portion engaged by the cutting portion.

3. In a can opening device, a pair of pivoted handles, means on one of said handles adapted to engage a can, means to move the can engaging means about a can, a cutter member mounted on the other arm, said cutter member including a cutting element having a lid engaging portion adapted to be disposed beneath a lid being cut and resilient means on the cutter member to urge a can lid. against the lid engaging portion of the cutting element whereby the lid may be removed alter it isI severed.

4. In a can opening and spout forming device, a pair of pivoted handles, one of said handles having a pair of arms at one end, can engaging means on each of said arms, means to move said canengaging means about the can, a can opening member on said other handle, said member having an inclined blade with a bent portion which is upwardly directed and adapted to be disposed beneath the top of a can and spring means adjacent said blade member adapted to engage the top of a can.

5. In a can opening and spout forming device, a pair of pivoted handles, one of said handles having a pair of spaced arms at one end, a wheel pivotally mounted on each of said arms, one of said wheels having peripheral teeth thereon, manual means to rotate said toothed wheel, said wheels being adapted to engage the underside of a can seam, the axes of said wheels being coplanar and approximately radial with respect to the can, a pin rigidly mounted on the outer end of the other handle, a cutting member pivotally positioned on said pin, said cutter member being shiftable to engage a can.

HERBERT A. JOHNSTON. 

